Physical, Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of a Brain Injury

Effects of a Brain Injury

When one suffers a brain injury, the neurons, nerve tracts or sections of the brain are negatively affected. The neurons (nerve cells) are the only cells in the body that do not replicate. Therefore, if affected, they can be unable, or have difficulty, transporting the messages to the body. This disrupts the normal functioning of the body and can temporarily or permanently change the way a person thinks, acts, behaves, moves, and in instances, it can change the internal functions of the body such as blood pressure, bowel control and heart rate.

Cognitive Changes

Memory

Communication

Perception

Decision-making

Reading and writing skills

Thought flexibility

Planning

Self-perception

Safety awareness

Sequencing

Problem solving skills

New learning

Judgment

Organization

Attention

Through processing speed

Physical Changes

Muscle movement

Taste

Balance

Muscle coordination

Smell

Speech

Sleep

Touch

Seizures

Hearing

Fatigue

Sexual functioning

Vision

Weakness

Personality and Behavioral Changes

Social skills

Self-monitoring remarks or actions

Frustration

Stress

Emotional control and mood swings

Reduced self-esteem

Denial

Appropriateness of behavior

Irritability or agitation

Motivation

Self-centeredness

Coping skills

Depression

Anger management

Anxiety

Excessive laughing or crying

Injuries to the Right Side of Brain can cause:

Visual-spacial impairment

Visual memory deficits

Inattention to the left side of the body

Decreased awareness of deficits

Altered creativity

Decrease control over left-side body movement

Injuries to the Left Side of Brain can cause:

Difficulties in understanding language (receptive language)

Difficulties in speaking or verbal output (expressive language)

Catastrophic reactions (depression, anxiety)

Verbal memory deficits

Impaired logic

Sequencing difficulties

Decreased control over right-sided body movements

Diffuse Brain Injury (The injuries are scattered throughout both sides of the brain)